Record setting 3,132 student archers competed at MoNASP state tournament

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The tenth annual Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP) state tournament held March 23-24 in Branson drew 3,132 student archers in grades 4-12 from a record setting 140 schools across the state. Winning teams and individuals, along with other teams and individuals who had qualifying scores, will go on to compete in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) tournament in Louisville, Ky., on May 10-12.

MDC’s Education Outreach Coordinator Eric Edwards, who coordinates MoNASP, said this year’s tournament was the largest one ever.

“To put the size of the state tournament in perspective if you laid every arrow end-to-end that was shot at the tournament, they would stretch 111 miles,” Edwards said.

MoNASP is coordinated through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Conservation Federation of Missouri in partnership with 670 participating schools and numerous supporting organizations throughout the state. More than 185,000 Missouri students in grades 4-12 participate in MoNASP.

“The growth of the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program has been tremendous over the past couple years and this surge has led students outdoors with their families to participate in this lifetime sport,” said Edwards. “Many local conservation groups and civic organizations are also volunteering to help support MoNASP in their communities. Students are connecting with family members, coaches, and teachers through archery. This connection and confidence gained through archery will spread into other parts of their lives.”

Edwards noted this year’s MoNASP state archery tournament, hosted by MDC and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, drew more than 10,000 spectators.

2018 MoNASP State TournamentTenth annual Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program state tournament sends hundreds to nationals. Learn more about MoNASP at mdc.mo.gov/monasp

Top Tournament Scores

“It seems like I say this every year, but I’m so impressed with the scores this year,” he said. “Each year the scores just get better and better. Missouri students have a very strong chance at making the podium at nationals in May.”

The top overall archers this year include Norwood R-1 sophomore Savannah Sadler, who shot an impressive score of 295 out of 300. Top overall male archer was Helias High School’s sophomore Jacob Wankum, who shot an impressive score of 292 out of 300.

George Guffey Elementary once again continued its dominance by winning the team division again this year.

“Congratulations to George Guffey Elementary for winning their team division in elementary for the tenth straight year,” Edwards said. “We have had ten state tournaments and they’ve won every one of them, which is a tremendous achievement.”

Other team and individual winners from this year’s MoNASP state bullseye archery tournament include:

MoNASP is an affiliate of NASP and promotes education, self-esteem, and physical activity. Since NASP’S beginnings in 2002, more than 10 million students have participated in the program through 10,000 schools in 47 states and 10 countries.

About The Author

Shawn Kober grew up outside St. Louis, Missouri and attended East Central College and Central Missouri University studying Graphic Design / Journalism / Video Production. He has went on to work for several television stations and has freelanced for major networks throughout the United States. When not working in media Shawn enjoy's spending time with his family and exploring the outdoors.